Transport is an important concept in many STEM fields and serves as the focus of this National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site. Transport phenomena can be described as the flux (or rate at which something is happening) being equal to the driving force (stimulus) divided by the resistance (obstacles). This can be used to describe blood flow through tissues, water permeation through soil, or the transport of electrons through a circuit. In a more abstract sense, the concept can be applied to the trajectory of a research career, wherein the outcomes or accomplishments are a function of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations divided by the obstacles researchers face. This REU site seeks to address obstacles related to the availability of research programs at participants’ home institutions (for instance, community colleges or four-year colleges with limited research infrastructure). The REU provides a driving force through 10-week intensive research experiences to enable growth of these students in research career pathways. REU participants will learn how fundamental engineering principles related to transport phenomena can be applied to significant real-life problems – combining theory and practice to promote curiosity and inspire life-long learning. In addition, training given to REU participant mentors will enhance the undergraduate and graduate research experiences for generations of students to come. The goal of this REU site is to promo